SANDY — Real Salt Lake fans could be seeing more of Andy Williams in the coming weeks.
The RSL fan favorite started in place of banged-up Javier Morales on Wednesday night against Chivas USA, and in the process enjoyed not only his best match of the season but one of his best in an RSL uniform.
Even though he didn't have a direct hand in any of the four goals, he indirectly influenced them all by helping his team dominate possession against a team that specializes in keeping the ball.
"He did a great job. He's one of those guys whose a great veteran player, he's so good with his feet and such a danger going forward, we're pleased with the way he played tonight," said Nat Borchers Wednesday.
Williams, who had only started two prior matches this season, has been pushing for increased playing time for several weeks now, according to his coaching staff.
"(He's) another player that deserved and earned his opportunity," said RSL coach Jason Kreis. "We've been watching him in training sessions for the past two weeks, and we've really liked what he's been giving us."
Despite Williams' improved efficiency in practice, the coaching staff would probably always prefer Morales in the starting 11. However, when Morales injured his groin in the opening 13 minutes of last Saturday's match at New England, Williams was summoned from the bench and was a bright spot for 77 minutes.
He was the logical choice to start against Chivas, and will likely start again this weekend against Kansas City with Morales still nursing his groin injury.
With as dominant as Williams was on the ball against Chivas, if he can keep that up Kreis will be hard-pressed to keep his former teammate off the field.
"You can see it in his eye. You can see it in a little bit his swagger. We've seen it now for a couple weeks, he's going into a good run of form and he could really help us down the stretch, there's absolutely no doubt about that," said Kreis. "We've always felt that way about Andy Williams — when he's on his game he can help us."
One Chivas player in particular felt the wrath of Williams' form.
In the second half of RSL's 4-0 win, Williams put on a dribbling clinic at the expense of Sacha Kljestan, who was forced to change directions four times to keep up with the showboating Williams.
Asked afterward if he was showing off for the crowd, Williams said, "Sacha and I have a little history."
Indeed they do. In a match at the Home Depot Center back in 2007, Kljestan went in recklessly on Williams, fouling him hard enough that the RSL midfielder was taken to the hospital for precautionary X-rays. Williams' leg wasn't broken as originally feared, but Kljestan was suspended for two matches.
Asked if that history is why he toyed with Kljestan, Williams simply said "no comment."
As for perhaps injecting a bit of life into RSL's playoff push, Williams said he'd love the opportunity and, "Hopefully I can open the coaches' eyes and leave it up to them."
He definitely gave an impressive 90-minute audition on Wednesday.
e-mail: jedward@desnews.com